How to Make Macrame Christmas Ornaments: 3 Easy Designs

Cord and supplies for ornaments

Ornaments look best in 2mm or 3mm cord. Single strand cotton brushes out into the soft, full fringe that makes macrame trees and snowflakes read as a shape from across the room. 3 ply cord gives crisper knots and a wavy fringe, which suits stars and wrapped designs. Natural cream is the classic color, and greens, reds and white work for trees and snowflakes. A multi-color pack is worth having, since a single ornament uses only 1 to 4 yards.

For the bases, gather twigs or 1/4 in dowels cut to 3 to 4 in, metal or wooden rings of 1.5 to 3 in, and small wooden stars or star shapes bent from craft wire. You also need sharp scissors, a fine comb or pet brush, fabric stiffener or white glue diluted about one to one with water, small wooden beads and a short loop of thin cord or ribbon for hanging each ornament.

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Design 1: Mini macrame tree

Cut a 3 to 4 in twig or dowel as the base of the tree; it becomes the bottom edge. Cut 6 to 10 cords of 3mm single strand, each about 10 to 12 in. Fold each cord and attach it to the twig with a lark's head knot, packed tightly side by side. Tie a short hanging loop to both ends of the twig.

Now turn the twig so the lark's heads are at the bottom and the loose ends point up. Brush every strand out fully, then trim the fringe into a triangle with the point at the top: start with a light trim to set the shape, then go back and cut more until the edges are straight. Spray or brush the fringe with stiffener and press it flat on wax paper while it dries so the triangle holds. A small wooden bead or a star glued at the top finishes it. Some makers hang the tree point up from a loop glued to the tip instead.

Design 2: Snowflake on a ring

Use a 1.5 to 2 in ring as the center. Cut 12 cords of 2 or 3mm cord about 14 in long. Attach them all around the ring with lark's head knots, then divide them into six groups of two folded cords, four strands each. Each group becomes one arm of the snowflake.

On each arm, tie one square knot about 0.5 in from the ring. Then split the four strands: tie the left two together with an overhand knot and the right two together, slightly angled outward, to make the V branches of a snowflake arm. Thread a small white or wooden bead onto the middle strands if you like. Trim all six arms to the same length, about 1.5 to 2 in past the knots, and brush the ends into small tufts. Stiffen the whole piece and dry it flat so the arms do not droop when hung. Hang it from one arm with a thin loop.

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Design 3: Wrapped star

Bend a five-point star from craft wire, or use a small unfinished wooden star of about 3 in. Tie the end of a 3 to 4 yard length of 2 or 3mm cord to one inner corner and wrap the cord tightly around the frame, laying each turn next to the last, until every arm is covered. Glue the end on the back.

For a fringe star, attach short 4 in cords with lark's head knots along the two lower arms, brush them out and trim the fringe parallel to the edges. For a textured star, tie a row of half hitches along each arm with a second cord instead of wrapping, which gives a raised, ribbed surface. Add a hanging loop at the top point with a jump ring or a tight lark's head.

Stiffening, finishing and hanging

Brushed cotton fringe goes limp and fuzzy in a warm room unless it is stiffened. Use a fabric stiffener, or white craft glue diluted about one to one with water, brushed through the fringe or sprayed on. Lay the ornament flat on wax or parchment paper, press the fringe into shape, and let it dry completely, usually overnight. Trim again once dry, because stiffening shows up stray strands.

Use a hanging loop of thin cord, ribbon or a metal ornament hook, attached at the top so the ornament hangs straight. Keep finished ornaments in a flat box between layers of tissue rather than in a bag, where the fringe crushes. A bent fringe can usually be fixed with a light mist of water, a brush and a few hours drying flat.

Frequently asked questions

What cord is best for macrame ornaments? 2 or 3mm single strand cotton for brushed trees and snowflakes, and 3 ply cord for wrapped or knotted designs where you want crisp texture.

How do I keep macrame ornaments stiff? Brush fabric stiffener or diluted white glue through the fringe, press it flat on wax paper and let it dry overnight before trimming again.

How much cord do I need for an ornament? A mini tree uses about 2 to 3 yards, a ring snowflake about 4 to 5 yards and a wrapped star 3 to 4 yards.

Can kids help make macrame ornaments? Yes. Lark's head knots, brushing and trimming the tree shape are easy for children; an adult can handle the stiffener and the sharp scissors.